**The documentary was directed by Harvard University
Afro-American Studies professor Isaac Julien,
In this groundbreaking documentary, Isaac Julien takes us back
to the early 70s and the explosion of blaxploitation films, today
one of American cinema’s most beloved cult genres. The original
guilty pleasure, these fun and energetic films had all the action,
comedy, sex and groovy music you could want in two hours worth
of entertainment.
Featuring awealth of footage from classic films such as Superfly,
Shaft, and Melvin Van Peebles’ Sweet Sweetback’s BaadAsssss
Song, and interviews with such key players as Richard Roundtree,
Samuel L. Jackson, and Pam Grier, BaadAsssss Cinema thoroughly
explores blaxploitation films from their breakout casting and
unforgettable soundtracks to the outrageous fashions and hilariously
over-the-top story lines that together helped the genre achieve
its revered cult status.
